What happened in September 1966?
The top front-page story of each day in September 1966, as it was reported at the time. Click a date to see that day’s full front page and the matching birthday books.
- Sep 1✈️ Airliner Crash in Yugoslavia – A British airliner with 117 passengers crashes in Yugoslavia, with over 70 feared dead after falling two miles from Ljubljana airport.
- Sep 2🏇 World Mile Trotting Record – Noble Victory sets a new world mile trotting record of 1:55 3-5 at Du Quoin, surpassing the previous mark set in 1963.
- Sep 3🏆 Clemente's 2,000th Hit – Pirate star Roberto Clemente achieves his 2,000th hit, contributing to a 6-5 victory over the Cardinals.
- Sep 4🏢 Japan's Tallest Building – Japan unveils its tallest office building, a stunning tower of glass designed to reduce construction costs through innovative engineering.
- Sep 5🏫 Public Schools Prepare – Suburban schools brace for 1.8 million students amid fiscal and space challenges as they prepare for the new academic year.
- Sep 6🌍 Oil Boom in Colombia – Texaco-Gulf project in Colombia transforms jungle into a booming town, signaling significant economic growth.
- Sep 7🗳️ Verwoerd Assassinated – South African Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd is assassinated in Parliament, raising concerns across Africa about political stability.
- Sep 8🔬 Fantastic Voyage Premieres – The science-fiction film 'Fantastic Voyage' opens in theaters, showcasing a team of scientists shrunk to microscopic size for a daring mission.
- Sep 9🏛️ Court Saves Landmark – A court rules to preserve the historic mansion of Winston Churchill's grandfather, preventing its demolition.
- Sep 10🏆 U.S. Wins Rowing Title – Cromwell and Storm set a course mark to win the final in double sculls at the World Title Rowing Championships.
- Sep 11🏆 Clay Retains Title – Muhammad Ali stops Mildenberger in the 12th round to retain his heavyweight championship title.
- Sep 12🌍 De Gaulle Sees Test – French President Charles de Gaulle witnesses a nuclear test in the Pacific from a cruiser, marking a significant moment in France's military history.
- Sep 13🚀 Soviet Rocket Development – Soviet Union reportedly developing a new rocket, potentially as powerful as Saturn 5, aimed at manned lunar missions.
- Sep 14🚀 New Space Suit System – NASA plans a new breathing system for Apollo astronauts, enhancing safety for spacewalks outside the capsule.
- Sep 15🌍 Record World Trade Achieved – Monetary Fund reports world trade at $180 billion rate in Q2, indicating global economic prosperity.
- Sep 16🚀 Gemini's Successful Splashdown – Gemini spacecraft successfully re-enters and splashes down in the Atlantic, marking a milestone in U.S. space exploration.
- Sep 17🚀 Gemini 11 Photos Released – NASA releases photos of Gemini 11, showing astronaut outside the spacecraft connecting to Agena rocket.
- Sep 18🚀 Gemini 11 Photos Released – Gemini 11 mission captures stunning photographs from 850 miles in space, showcasing Earth's beauty and the advancements in space exploration.
- Sep 19🏭 Aluminum Plant Opens – Intalco opens a $150 million aluminum plant in Washington State, marking a significant industrial development.
- Sep 20🌍 Indonesia Rejoins U.N – Indonesia returns to the United Nations after a 19-month absence, signaling intent to resume full cooperation.
- Sep 21🌍 Sensing Satellite Launch – U.S. to launch a sensing satellite aimed at studying Earth's resources, marking a significant advancement in environmental monitoring.
- Sep 22📰 China's Press Purged – Communist China reorganizes its press, closing several papers and disbanding a youth unit amid political purges.
- Sep 23🚀 U.S. Offers Soviet Aid – The U.S. offers the Soviet Union access to American space stations, aiming for cooperation in space exploration.
- Sep 24📈 President Signs Pay Bill – President signs a minimum wage bill raising pay to $1.60 in 1968, recalling historical wage gains from the New Deal.
- Sep 25🌍 Focus on Poor Nations – World Bank and IMF meetings prioritize the needs of poor nations, addressing global economic disparities.
- Sep 26🌍 World Bank Aid Report – World Bank highlights a gap in aid funds from industrial nations, stressing the need for support to needy countries.
- Sep 27🌍 Greenland for Seismic Study – Greenland identified as ideal for detecting underground blasts due to its mile-thick ice, providing a sensitive seismic base.
- Sep 28🏛️ Whitney Museum Opens – The Whitney Museum celebrates its grand opening, marking a significant cultural milestone in New York City.
- Sep 29🎬 Premiere of 'The Bible' – The film 'The Bible' premieres, marking the start of a spectacular film season with a grand sendoff.
- Sep 30✈️ Boeing Supersonic Jet – Boeing showcases a supersonic jet capable of 1,800 mph and carrying 350 passengers, marking a significant advancement in aviation technology.
Happy Birthday! 1966 – The Year in Headlines
The whole of 1966 in real headlines. See the 1966 book →
Born in September? Pick the day
Every birthday in September has its own On This Day in Headlines book: